Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators salary in Tuscaloosa, AL
Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators in the Tuscaloosa, AL metro area earn a median of $47,710 a year ($22.94 an hour), based on BLS data for 650 workers.
Pay ranges from $37,870 for the lowest-paid 10% to $60,890 for the top 10%. That is 20% lower than the national median of $59,850. Pay here is about the same as the Alabama statewide median of $47,520. There are 6.0 operating engineers and other construction equipment operators per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.9× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $49,850, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for operating engineers and other construction equipment operators in Tuscaloosa, AL
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $37,870 | $18.21 |
| 25th percentile | $43,210 | $20.77 |
| Median | $47,710 | $22.94 |
| 75th percentile | $56,860 | $27.34 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $60,890 | $29.28 |
| Average (mean) | $49,850 | $23.97 |
Half of operating engineers and other construction equipment operators earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $3,975.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,987.92 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,835 |
| Weekly | $917.50 |
| Hourly | $22.94 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $47,710 salary, see how much house you can afford in Alabama at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Birmingham, AL | $54,330 | 2,070 |
| Decatur, AL | $49,470 | 290 |
| Huntsville, AL | $49,110 | 1,100 |
| Daphne-Fairhope-Foley, AL | $47,450 | 350 |
| Mobile, AL | $47,400 | 990 |
| Dothan, AL | $47,120 | 200 |
| Auburn-Opelika, AL | $47,000 | 360 |
| Florence-Muscle Shoals, AL | $46,850 | 260 |
| Columbus, GA-AL | $46,430 | 490 |
| Montgomery, AL | $44,860 | 580 |
| Anniston-Oxford, AL | $42,020 | 240 |
| Gadsden, AL | $36,910 | 100 |
Highest-paying states for operating engineers and other construction equipment operators
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Hawaii | $115,860 |
| Illinois | $97,740 |
| New Jersey | $89,660 |
| California | $87,160 |
| Washington | $81,700 |
| New York | $80,980 |
| Indiana | $79,580 |
| Minnesota | $79,130 |
| Connecticut | $78,750 |
| Alaska | $77,810 |
See Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators pay in every state or the Alabama statewide figures.
Related jobs in Tuscaloosa, AL
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Construction Laborer | $36,460 | $17.53 |
| Electrician | $60,110 | $28.90 |
| Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters | $59,530 | $28.62 |
| Carpenter | $48,870 | $23.49 |
| Cement Masons and Concrete Finishers | $44,300 | $21.30 |
| Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators | $37,340 | $17.95 |
| Structural Iron and Steel Workers | $59,230 | $28.48 |
| Painters, Construction and Maintenance | $46,210 | $22.22 |
| Drywall and Ceiling Tile Installers | $45,110 | $21.69 |
| Sheet Metal Worker | $48,120 | $23.14 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers | $75,380 | $36.24 |
| Highway Maintenance Worker | $39,620 | $19.05 |
| Loading and Moving Machine Operators, Underground Mining | $57,730 | $27.76 |
| Helpers--Electricians | $35,970 | $17.30 |
More: Construction and Extraction Occupations · all salaries in Tuscaloosa, AL
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 47-2073. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a operating engineers and other construction equipment operators make in Tuscaloosa, AL?
The median salary for operating engineers and other construction equipment operators in the Tuscaloosa, AL metro area is $47,710 a year, or $22.94 an hour. Pay ranges from $37,870 for the lowest-paid 10% to $60,890 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid operating engineers and other construction equipment operators make in Tuscaloosa, AL?
The top 10% of operating engineers and other construction equipment operators in the Tuscaloosa, AL metro area earn at least $60,890 a year. The top 25% earn $56,860 or more.
What is the starting pay for operating engineers and other construction equipment operators in Tuscaloosa, AL?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $37,870 a year, and a quarter of operating engineers and other construction equipment operators earn $43,210 or less.
How many operating engineers and other construction equipment operators work in Tuscaloosa, AL?
About 650 operating engineers and other construction equipment operators are employed in the Tuscaloosa, AL metro area, not counting the self-employed.